At her second prison, Wormwood Scrubs, a prisoner on suicide watch told South that he hated himself for the pleasure he felt on seeing women afraid of him. But South was savvy to the convoluted psychology of sex offenders. She knew that he might be getting yet further gratification from sharing his shame with her and passed his case on to another officer. Later, when meeting a rapist for whom she felt prison was neither sufficiently punishing nor rehabilitating, she wondered if, in looking after him, she was “betraying the women he’s hurt”. Angela Scanlon breaks her silence on her 'premature' Strictly Come Dancing exit as she admits she can't stop crying: 'Feels like it's been cut short'

Jacqueline Jossa 'strikes groundbreaking deal with EastEnders as she cashes in on major contracts' after reprising her roleI'm A Celebrity fans convinced Nella Rose will follow in Grace Dent's footsteps and be the next to QUIT the show Concern over surging inmate numbers last week moved the chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, to take the unusual step of posting an online article warning that the issue has “consequences for all of us”. Grace Dent's week in the jungle in pictures: From vowing 'to not go out first' to a 'scarily unwell' appearance and THAT 'I want to go home' confession Women shouldn't be police officers," a colleague told Alex South mid-shift. South's gender is a central feature of her new book Behind These Doors, which tells of her 10 years working as a prison officer in HM Prison Service. But despite her size making her diminutive in comparison to many of the extremely dangerous men she spent her time looking after, she also discovered her being a woman afforded her unique chances to connect with inmates and intervene in situations that could easily escalate, if left to the devices of hyper-masculine etiquette, and rigid notions of honour and respect. Harry and Meghan are 'still hurt' about the delay in giving Archie and Lilibet their Prince and Princess titles, Omid Scobie claims

In 2021, South left Belmarsh. ‘I’d joined for the talking, the listening, and that was no longer possible,’ she says. ‘In prison, you have all these people, many of whom want to do better and it could be such a huge opportunity. Tiffany Haddish 'regrets' her DUI arrest scandal and knows she made a 'mistake' (despite laughing it off in public statement) EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Dunhill heir Piers Dunhill-Turner in bitter High Court battle with his old chum Charles Karsten Disney star opens up on his very racy cameo in Troye Sivan video where he gets a lap dance from the singer who is dressed as a woman

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Half of prison officers in England and Wales do not feel safe at work, according to a recent large-scale survey. Alex South spent 10 years working as a prison officer, and she’s written a book, Behind These Doors, about her experiences. She speaks to Nuala about working in such a male-dominated environment and shares her stories. Now, all that is lost. But it has not been replaced by the liberal paradise which 1960s reformers presumably hoped for. I’d joined because I wanted to make a difference but I reached the point where I didn’t feel I could any more.’ Zac Efron flexes his bulging biceps in tight tee as he joins Jeremy Allen White to promote professional wrestling movie The Iron Claw South had arrived via a circuitous route. After dropping out of university, she’d worked in bars where she’d learnt to read the room, manage a crowd and talk down a customer spoiling for a fight.

I’ve prosecuted hundreds, if not thousands, of people. I don’t like criminals very much. When they commit serious offences, they need to be punished, and we need protection from many of them,” he adds. In my first years, I loved the job so much and part of me was scared to admit that I didn’t any more. The most scary times weren’t even frightening when they were happening. You’ve got your adrenaline and you just have to deal with it. Afterwards, I’d begin to feel it.’A few acted inappropriately – during night shifts, one sex offender would wait until the other prisoners were asleep, then devise excuses to call her to the cell and hold her in conversation, self-harming when she tried to leave.

She is a Trustee of The Hampton Trust, a charity working to prevent violence, domestic abuse and social isolation.Overcrowding is a “huge problem” and reducing the prison population is “an immediate pressing concern,” she tells i. Alex South worked as a prison officer for a decade (Photo: Suzie Howell / Hodder) David Walliams SETTLES lawsuit with Britain's Got Talent producers after being 'forced out' of show Neighbours star Bonnie Anderson marries landscaper Samuel Morrison in lavish Yarra Valley wedding before partying into the night